A Journey into Washi Paper Art — Savoring Japan’s Traditional Beauty with Your Five Senses

The World of Washi Paper Art — Where Tradition Meets Modernity in Japanese Culture

In the West, paper may seem mundane, but Japanese handcrafted washi paper (tesuki washi) transcends that image with its unique beauty and quality. In 2014, UNESCO recognized “Washi: the craft of Japanese hand-made paper,” celebrating traditions like Gifu’s Honminoshi and Saitama’s Hosokawashi(＊1). Mino washi’s remarkable thinness and strength even make it ideal for restoring paintings and documents at major museums like the British Museum and the Louvre(＊1).
Japanese artists also incorporate washi into bold contemporary art worldwide. For example, Kyoto-born artist Eriko Horiki uses large sheets of handmade washi to create lighting fixtures and interior panels; her work has appeared in places like the Shima Kanko Hotel (site of a G7 summit) and luxury hotels abroad(＊2). In this way, washi paper art — continually evolving beyond traditional craft — conveys the depth of Japanese culture, offering visitors a new glimpse of Japan’s refined beauty.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage – Exploring Hosokawashi’s History and Craft

Hosokawashi is a handcrafted paper from Saitama and is listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, reflecting its long history. Introduced in the Edo period from Kishū (now Wakayama), it flourished near Edo (present-day Tokyo)(＊3). It was widely used for merchant account books and as fusuma (sliding door) paper, a beloved everyday essential in Edo(＊3). Its hallmark is that it uses only domestic kozo fibers and the unique “nagashi-zuki” method, yielding washi with very few raised fibers and incredible strength despite its thinness(＊3).
Even today, craftsmen preserve this traditional technique, and Hosokawashi is prized as paper for traditional books, printmaking, and cultural restoration projects(＊3). At Washi no Sato in Higashi-Chichibu near Tokyo, visitors can watch the hand papermaking process up close and experience this centuries-old craftsmanship firsthand. Seeing washi take form before your eyes is sure to move you and deepen your appreciation of Japanese tradition(＊3).

Quench Your Intellectual Curiosity – Touring Washi Museums and Highlights

To truly appreciate washi, plan visits to the many washi museums across Japan. In Echizen Washi Village (Fukui), the Paper Culture Museum presents the 1,500-year story of Echizen washi—from origin legends to its global spread—through engaging videos and panels(＊4). The museum displays artisans’ traditional tools and the papermaking process, and even offers a hands-on corner. You can use all your senses to fully immerse yourself in washi culture there(＊4).
In Tosa (Ino, Kochi), the Ino Paper Museum highlights Tosa washi’s thousand-year history. Its permanent exhibits detail Tosa washi’s heritage, materials, and tools, and visitors can watch live papermaking demonstrations and even try making washi themselves. Experiencing Tosa washi’s traditions in person lets you feel the depth of this craft in ways a static display simply cannot(＊5).
Even in Tokyo, you can experience washi culture at the historic Ozu Washi store in Nihonbashi. Founded in the Edo era, this venerable shop includes a small museum that displays a precious collection of washi passed down through generations, offering a glimpse into washi’s history in the heart of the city.
Visiting these museums will satisfy your curiosity about traditional crafts and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture, giving you insights far beyond ordinary sightseeing.

Experience Washi Art — Deepen Your Understanding of Japanese Culture Through Making It

Try Your Hand at Washi Making

Trying your hand at washi-making during your trip will deepen your cultural understanding. At the Echizen Washi Village Papyrus Pavilion (Fukui), craftsmen guide you in making your own washi paper. Even beginners can enjoy authentic papermaking in about 20–40 minutes, with programs for everyone from toddlers to adults(＊1). The unique washi sheet you create will be a special keepsake of your travels.
In Higashi-Chichibu (Saitama), immerse yourself in 1,300 years of tradition in a nature-rich workshop. A popular activity is mixing wildflowers picked nearby into the paper to make postcards or mini-tapestries(＊2). This village is home to UNESCO-listed Hosokawashi, and people of all ages can join in and make washi themselves, literally feeling centuries of tradition with their own hands(＊2).
These hands-on workshops will deepen your appreciation of Japan’s paper culture and the skill of its craftsmen. They offer learning and inspiration far beyond ordinary tourism.

Deepen Your Knowledge by Meeting Master Artists

To dive deeper into washi paper art, nothing beats meeting the master craftsmen and artists at the forefront. For example, in Mino City (Gifu), an international exhibition featured 47 artists creating about 72 works from Mino washi under the theme “Prayers Entrusted to Birds,” which were displayed at the Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin shrine(＊3). The artists, from diverse backgrounds, inspired each other through washi, broadening its expressions into rich new forms.
Washi regions often hold events featuring local artisans and well-known artists. In Aichi, for instance, a workshop was held with Koji Shibasaki, a washi-lighting artist, where participants made postcards decorated with gold and silver leaf. Hearing a master artist talk about his dedication to materials and creative vision will deepen your understanding of washi paper art. Discovering the stories behind the art can bring truly eye-opening insights.

Washi Art to Enrich Your Everyday Life — How to Incorporate It into Refined Interiors

Beautiful Examples in Architecture and Hotels

Washi art isn’t limited to traditional spaces; it fits beautifully into modern architecture and hotels. In even the sleekest environments, Japanese aesthetics allow washi to integrate seamlessly, adding a unique presence.
For example, at the InterContinental Hotel Osaka, during its 5th-anniversary celebrations, Eriko Horiki’s washi installations of various sizes were displayed throughout the hotel(＊1). In the lobby, her series of “Gates of Light” and flower-themed washi sculptures allowed gentle light to filter through, creating a fantastical glow that warmly welcomed guests(＊1).
Architect Kengo Kuma also uses traditional materials like handmade washi and wood in buildings worldwide. The soft diffusion of light and the unique texture of washi can’t be replicated by glass or plastic, bringing a gentle “wa” (Japanese essence) to contemporary spaces. These designs—blending traditional materials with modern techniques—symbolize a harmonious fusion of Japanese aesthetics and modern design.
Experiencing these spaces in person will show you how naturally Japanese tradition and modern style can coexist, offering a refreshing contrast to design back home.

Tips for Your Home Decor

Bringing washi paper art into your home decor can create an elegant, soothing atmosphere. For example, consider washi wallpaper: it naturally regulates humidity and lets gentle light through, bathing the room in a soft, calming glow(＊2). Since washi is made from plant fibers, it emits very few volatile chemicals, so you needn’t worry about sick building syndrome(＊2).
Including washi andon lamps or lantern-style shades is also lovely; the soft glow through washi creates a cozy atmosphere. As accents, try hanging washi art panels or chigiri-e (torn paper collage) on your walls. Though traditional, their simple, refined style harmonizes surprisingly well with Western decor, adding an elegant “wa” (Japanese) touch to daily life.

High-Quality Galleries and Shops to Purchase Washi Art

For exquisite washi art and paper products, visit specialty galleries or long-established shops. In Tokyo’s Nihonbashi, the venerable Ozu Washi (est. 1653) offers a wide range of handmade washi paper products from across Japan, for uses from calligraphy to decor(＊3). It also has a gallery space hosting calligraphy and chigiri-e exhibitions, making it a luxurious place to browse art while shopping.
In Kyoto, the washi specialty store Sakaimachi Tamagami and Tokyo’s Haibara both offer beautiful handcrafted washi stationery, art panels, and other sophisticated washi goods.
If you have time, visit one of the washi-producing regions during your trip. There you might discover unique pieces only sold locally. For example, the direct shop at Echizen Washi Village (Fukui) offers an astonishing variety of Echizen washi and paper goods, from calligraphy paper to craft paper(＊4). Visitors can pick up samples, feel their texture, and pick out that special sheet.
Visiting these galleries and shops lets you savor the depth of washi paper art and enjoy finding the perfect piece for your home or an inspiring souvenir.

Washi Art and Sustainability — A New Value of Eco-Friendly Japanese Beauty

The Appeal of Eco-Friendly Washi

Washi is a sustainable material that harnesses nature. Its raw ingredients—kozo, mitsumata, and ganpi—grow quickly and are naturally renewable. The traditional hand-making process also uses almost no harsh chemicals, keeping its environmental footprint very low.
For example, making washi wallcoverings releases virtually no harmful substances like formaldehyde, making it a wall material that won’t pollute indoor air(＊1). Washi also naturally regulates humidity: it absorbs excess moisture in summer and releases moisture in winter, helping keep indoor air comfortable year-round(＊1).
Because of these qualities, washi is now used more in interiors and building materials, sometimes replacing plastics. The traditional washi industry itself has an eco-tourism appeal—it embodies harmony between people and nature. For instance, Mino Washi Village in Gifu, blessed with lush forests and clear streams, has a long papermaking history, and its washi production is praised as a “traditional industry embodying the spirit of the SDGs”(＊2).
Washi, which can last for centuries and helps preserve cultural heritage, symbolizes a sustainable “no-waste” lifestyle. In an age of mass production and disposability, the washi spirit of treasuring items and using them long-term can offer international travelers a fresh, inspiring lesson.

Washi Art Spots with EV Charging

As awareness grows, many tourist spots in Japan are adding EV charging facilities, and washi art tours are no exception. Some rural washi sites now offer EV charging. For example, at the “Washi no Sato Higashi Chichibu” road station in Saitama, a 50-kW rapid charger is available 24/7(＊3). You can charge your car while exploring the washi village—a handy perk for EV travelers.
Similarly, at the Nishijima Washi-no-Sato Paper Park in Minobu, Yamanashi, plans are underway to install a rapid EV charger by around August 2025(＊4). In this way, as part of sustainable tourism infrastructure, washi villages are adding EV charging to support eco-friendly travel. Driving through the countryside in a silent electric car while enjoying Japan’s traditional beauty and pristine nature is a truly modern, refined travel experience.

In Conclusion

A journey through Japanese washi paper art invites you into a world woven from tradition and innovation. Experiencing the beauty and craftsmanship of hand-pulled washi, and discovering its new charms in contemporary works, will richly stimulate your mind and senses.

Feeling the texture of washi, seeing the soft light it diffuses, and having warm exchanges with craftsmen and artists — these experiences make it truly a journey of cultural exploration. Witnessing people from different backgrounds connecting through tradition is truly moving. This journey — which touches the essence of Japanese culture through a sustainable perspective — will undoubtedly add refined color and deep inspiration to your intellectually curious life.